Thailand imposes burning ban to curb pollution

The Thai government has announced a nationwide burning ban to tackle worsening air pollution, with penalties in place for violators.

Government spokesman Jirayu Houngsub stated that the measure comes in response to forecasts on stagnant air circulation until Monday, which is expected to worsen the PM2.5 pollution.

To address the issue at its source, the National Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Committee of Thailand has intensified pollution control measures in high-risk areas while instructing local authorities to strictly enforce the ban and provide regular updates.

The committee has also directed the Public Health Ministry to deploy emergency medical teams to assist vulnerable groups, including infants, the elderly, pregnant women, and individuals with respiratory or heart conditions.

Last Thursday, the country’s highest PM2.5 concentrations were recorded in Chiang Rai, Lamphun, Phitsanulok, Sukhothai, Nonthaburi, Saraburi, Phetchaburi, Nakhon Pathom, Samut Sakhon, and Prachuap Khiri Khan, according to the committee.

In response, the Public Health Ministry has distributed 1.1 million N95 masks to the public, while the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) has provided 377,000 masks to residents in high-risk areas.